In time for our 30th anniversary in 2026, we’ve redesigned many parts of our permanent exhibition. You can look forward to new displays, new interactive stations, and new stories about the most famous Neanderthal find.
Have you visited us before? Then it’s time for a reunion. For our 30th anniversary, three sections of our permanent exhibition are being redesigned: from the discovery of Neanderthals to Stone Age inventions, all the way to the question of what connects us humans today.
Discover our new exhibition highlights on this page.
What did the Neander Valley look like before limestone mining changed the landscape forever? How did a few bones found in a cave in 1856 become a scientific sensation? And what do we know today about the person to whom they belonged?
Right at the start of your journey through human history, a spectacular presentation brings the original landscape of the Neander Valley back to life. Historical paintings show just how spectacular the former rocky gorge must have looked.
The story of the discovery is also given more attention: Step into the newly recreated cave, discover the bones and stone tools, and witness the moment that forever changed our view of humanity.
Follow the discovery of the Neanderthal from 1856 until the moment Johann Carl Fuhlrott realizes the significance of the bones. Four striking, dynamic scenes on the cave wall tell the story of a discovery that changed our view of humanity forever.
At a new digital research station, you can also take a closer look for yourself: Examine the Neanderthal’s bones in 3D and discover what researchers have learned about him over the past few decades.
“To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Neanderthal Museum has treated itself to a spectacular update of its permanent exhibition. The visitor experience has been taken to the next level.”
Rheinische Post (October 2026)
Tools are among humanity’s greatest success stories. But do they really make us unique?
Not quite! Chimpanzees use sticks to fish for termites, crows shape hooks, and octopuses use shells as hiding places. The key difference: Humans share their knowledge, pass it on, and continue to develop good ideas across generations.
In our newly redesigned “Tools and Knowledge” section, you can discover how simple tools gave rise to techniques, traditions, and ultimately culture. And of course, you’re welcome to get hands-on yourself.
After millions of years of human history, the exhibition’s final stop brings us back to a surprisingly personal question: What actually connects us to one another?
The answer lies, among other things, in our cells. Genetic traces enable researchers to trace kinship back over thousands of generations. All people alive today are connected by a common maternal lineage.
Our completely redesigned exhibition finale therefore becomes a place to arrive, linger, and reflect. The focus is no longer just on the past, but also on the future: We are all part of a shared history, and we are writing its next chapter ourselves.
There are new things to discover in many other areas as well! Atmospheric lighting effects, new colors, and small changes let you experience the exhibition in a whole new light.
In our special anniversary exhibition, “PLAYMOBIL Journey Through Time: Neanderthal,” human history comes to life in PLAYMOBIL format. Huge display landscapes and interactive stations invite guests of all ages to embark on a very special journey through time.
The redesign of our permanent exhibition was made possible with the support of our sponsors and partners:
